Public Relations in Schools

Public Relations in Schools

$206.65

In stock
0 out of 5

$206.65

SKU: 9780137072453 Categories: ,
Title Range Discount
Trade Discount 5 + 25%

Description

For educational administration and leadership students studying school and community relations.

 

A contemporary and practice-based school public relations text that centers on the importance of communication, relationships, and technology.

 

Outfitting students with a wealth of practical, practice-based knowledge that they can take directly into the halls of their school, the new fifth edition of Public Relations in Schools has a fresh, contemporary focus on both how administrators can effectively communicate with the community and how building strong relationships with stakeholders can ultimately lead to overall school improvement. Through a blend of theoretical and tacit knowledge, this text offers students an in-depth guide to 1) how to successfully communicate with both internal and external school entities, 2) how to build and maintain positive and active relationships via social and political capital and 3) how to translate the value of these relationships into positive change within the school. While exploring these three central themes, the book emphasizes how new technologies can aid school success. At the same time, real-world case studies at the beginning of each chapter introduce readers to actual public relations issues and bring the material to life.

 

The revised fifth edition of Public Relations in Schools is updated with new materials and references throughout the text, including two new chapters — one on harnessing technology for your public relations needs and one on collecting, assessing, and applying public opinion. In addition, the new fifth edition text contains a matrix at the front of the book showing how content relates to ELCC/NCATE Standards ­­— the widely used criteria for administrator preparation and licensing.

Hallmark Features

 

  • An emphasis on communication and relationship building both internally and externally constructs an essential nexus between public relations and school effectiveness — a subject rarely addressed in other comparable texts.
  • A focus on the legal and ethical aspects of public relations covers legal issues of copyright infringement, slander, and liability as well as ethical issues such as plagiarism, puffery, and propaganda.
  • Information on crisis management including how to communicate during a crisis as well as how to develop and implement a school crisis plan before an event occurs.
  • Introductory case studies at the beginning of each chapter focus on a real-world problems and essential public relations decisions relevant to the chapter material that follows.
  • Review questions and suggested activities at the end of each chapter help students understand material and help instructors structure in-class discussions and homework assignments.

 


By emphasizing the importance of two-way communication, this book offers a broad yet unique perspective on the importance of successful public relations programs in schools by integrating theory and knowledge. A public relations program is about building and maintaining relationships through an open exchange of information, and this book teaches administrators, regardless of their assignment, how communication and relationships directly affect organizational behavior, and ultimately, school success. The concept of relational communication, added to this edition, emphasizes the importance of consciously using communication as a means to construct these relationships. From the concept of public relations itself, and its legal and ethical dimensions, to assessing applications of public relations that pose challenges to the effectiveness of programs, this text is extremely relevant for students preparing to be administrators and for those professionals already practicing.

This edition is organized into three sections that thoroughly examine contemporary perspectives on the application of public relations in educational settings.

Features include:

  • A new chapter on technology addresses the expanded use of technology in school public relations, with specific attention given to how the Internet, web pages, and blogs can be developed and used to improve communication and relationships.
  • A new focus on public opinion teaches administrators the different processes of measuring public opinion and how to apply these findings to make effective and essential decisions.
  • Expanded information on school-community relationships, specifically emphasizing the need for a positive, mutual relationship between the school and the community
  • Introductory case studies that not only encourage professional reflection, but also ensure relevance by viewing current social and political conditions through a personal perspective
  • Questions and suggested activities at the end of each chapter encourage in-class discussions while also promoting critical thinking.
  • A matrix has been added to show how the chapter content relates to Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC) and National Council for Teacher Accreditation (NCATE) Standards.

Standards Matrix (ELCC/NCATE)

Part I: Contemporary Perspectives

Chapter 1 School Public Relations: A New Agenda

Case Study: The New Superintendent’s Public Relations Plan

Introduction

Perspectives of Public Relations

Erroneous Perspectives

Multiple Definitions and Models

School Public Relations

Meaning

Goals

Persistent Barriers

Current Importance

Underlying Themes

Information Age

School Reform

Communication

Reflective Practice

Summary

Questions and Suggested Activities

Case Study

Chapter References

Chapter 2 Social and Political Contexts

Case Study: Diversity and Local Public Schools

Introduction

Social Conditions and Schools

Changing Family Structure

Poverty

Immigrant Students

Effects of Social Problems on Student Behavior

Effects Social Problems on Schools

Political Conditions and Schools

Education Goals

Politics, Reform, and Engagement

Summary

Questions and Suggested Activities

Case Study

Chapter References

Chapter 3 Legal and Ethical Aspects of Public Relations

Case Study: Maynard Constructs a School Web Page

Introduction

Legal Dimensions

Tort Liability

Constitutional Torts

Political Speech

Privacy Rights

Religion and Public Schools

Community Values and Curriculum

Copyright

Ethics

Ethics in School Administration

Ethics in PR

Summary

Questions and Suggested Activities

Case Study

Chapter References

Chapter 4 Current Contexts of School Reform

Case Study: Applying a Communicative Approach to Policy Development

Introduction

Local Control and School Reform

Democratic Localism and Representative Democracy

Local Reforms and Stakeholder Involvement

Civic Engagement and Administrative Behavior

Civic Engagement Approaches

Administrative Behavior

School Improvement and Public Relations

Why Civic Engagement Matters

How PR Can Contribute to Engagement

Summary

Questions and Suggested Activities

Case Study

Chapter References

Part II: Conceptualizing and Institutionalizing a Public Relations Program

Chapter 5 Communication and Conflict Management

Case Study: Importance of Internal Relations

Introduction

Communication

Communication Basics

Listening Skills

Nonverbal Communication

Communication Networks

Communication Competence

Conflict Management

Conflict Types

Conflict Contaminants

Conflict-Resolution Strategies

Summary

Questions and Suggested Activities

Case Study

Chapter References

Chapter 6 Public Relations Programs

Case Study: High Hopes Gone Sour

Introduction

Conceptualizing a PR Program

Responsibility

Intended Beneficiaries

Organizational Structure

Non-traditional Public Schools and Private Schools

Non-Traditional Public Schools

Private Schools

Organizing PR in Schools of Choice

Student and Parental Involvement

Summary

Questions and Suggested Activities

Case Study

Chapter References

Chapter 7 Planning, Implementing, and Evaluating Programs

Case Study: When Schools and Relationships Fail to Improve

Introduction

Program planning

Planning Processes

Characteristics of Effective Plans

Planning Team

Administrator Interventions

School-Level Supplemental Planning

Implementing

Administrative Responsibility

Naming the Program

Resource Allocation

Evaluating Programs

Types of Evaluation

Outputs and Outcomes

Essential Questions

Utility

Methods, Techniques, and Sources

Summary

Questions and Suggested Activities

Case Study

Chapter References

Chapter 8 Using Technology to Exchange and Manage Information

Case Study: Roger Creates a Web Page

Introduction

Essential Constructs

Technology Literacy

Information Literacy

Information Technology

Management Information System

Technology Tools

Email

Electronic Newsletters

District or School Web Pages

Electronic Networking

Videoconferencing

Chat Rooms

Blogs

Summary

Questions and Suggested Activities

Case Study

Chapter References

Part III: Focused Objectives

Chapter 9 Community Relations

Case Study: A Mentor’s Questionable Advice

Introduction

Relationships and Communication

Improving Community Relations

Identifying and Analyzing Publics

Communicating with the Community

Deploying a Multicultural Perspective

Positive Relationships with Parents

Need for Parental Relationships

Building and Maintaining Parental Relationships

Summary

Questions and Suggested Activities

Case Study

Chapter References

Chapter 10 Media Relationship

Case Study: Mismanaging a Sensitive Situation

Introduction

Organizational decisions

Media Relations Plan

Implementing a Media Relations Plan

Employing a PR Specialist

Working with Print Media Reporters

Establishing a Foundation for Effective Relationships

Working with New Reporters

Accommodating Deadlines

Dealing with Negative News

Speaking Off the Record

Refusing to Comment

Telling the Truth

Staying on Track

Getting the School’s Story to the Media

Preparing News Releases

Planning and Conducting News Conferences

Correcting the Record

Working with Electronic Media Reporters

Television

Radio

Web-Based Outlets

Summary

Questions and Suggested Activities

Case Study

Chapter References

Chapter 11 Public Opinion

Case Study: Good Intentions Aren’t Always Enough

Introduction

Defining Public Opinion

Civic Engagement and Policy

Types Citizen Engagement

Public Opinion as a Form of Civic Engagement

Surveying Opinions

Scientific Polling

Sampling Issues

Return Rates

Data Collection Alternatives

Focus Groups

Question Development

Summary

Questions and Suggested Activities

Case Study

Chapter References

Chapter 12 Developing and Executing a Successful Funding Campaign

Case Study: Playing Hardball

Introduction

Validating the Need

Marketing

Focal Points

Collecting Data

Projecting an Election Outcome

Referendum Campaign

Steering Committee

Campaign Consultant

Volunteers

Positive Campaign Characteristics

Mistakes and Problems to Avoid

Evaluating the Campaign

Summary

Questions and Suggested Activities

Case Study

Chapter References

Chapter 13 Responding to Crisis

Case Study: Suicide at McKinley Middle School

Introduction

Safety and Security Planning

Integrating District and School Responsibilities

Defining a Crisis

Planning Scope

Appointing the School Crisis Team

Safety and Security Audit

Constructing a Crisis Plan

Preparing Employees to Implement the Plan

Evaluating the Plan

Crisis Communication

Pre-Crisis Tasks

Communicating During the Crisis

Communicating After the Crisis

Summary

Questions and Suggested Activities

Case Study

Chapter References

New Features

 

  • A new chapter on technology demonstrates how technology, especially Web-based strategies, can be developed and used to improve communication and foster community relationships.
  • A new chapter on public opinion shows students how to best assess and apply public opinions in their school through low-cost market research, the Internet and other electronic media.
  • A matrix relating content to ELCC/NCATE Standards located in the front of the text helps readers identify points in the text that align with the widely used criteria for administrator preparation and licensing.
  • A comprehensive revision of all chapters ensures that the material is relevant, up-to-date, and in line with the newest research and technology.

A contemporary and practice-based school public relations text that centers on the importance of communication, relationships, and technology.

Outfitting students with a wealth of practical, practice-based knowledge that they can take directly into the halls of their school, the new fifth edition of Public Relations in Schools has a fresh, contemporary focus on both how administrators can effectively communicate with the community and how building strong relationships with stakeholders can ultimately lead to overall school improvement. Through a blend of theoretical and tacit knowledge, this text offers students an in-depth guide to 1) how to successfully communicate with both internal and external school entities, 2) how to build and maintain positive and active relationships via social and political capital and 3) how to translate the value of these relationships into positive change within the school. While exploring these three central themes, the book emphasizes how new technologies can aid school success. At the same time, real-world case studies at the beginning of each chapter introduce readers to actual public relations issues and bring the material to life.

The revised fifth edition of Public Relations in Schools is updated with new materials and references throughout the text, including two new chapters – one on harnessing technology for your public relations needs and one on collecting, assessing, and applying public opinion. In addition, the new fifth edition text contains a matrix at the front of the book showing how content relates to ELCC/NCATE Standards ­­– the widely used criteria for administrator preparation and licensing.

Theodore J. Kowalski, PhD

Theodore Kowalski is professor and the Kuntz Family Chair in Educational Administration at the University of Dayton. He began his professional career as a teacher and building-level administrator in suburban Indianapolis, Indiana. Subsequently, he served as an associate superintendent and superintendent. He taught at Purdue University and Saint Louis University prior to becoming professor and dean of the Teachers College at Ball State University.

In addition to his duties at the University of Dayton, Professor Kowalski is editor of the Journal of School Public Relations and serves on the editorial boards of several other professional journals including Educational Administration Quarterly and the AASA Journal of Scholarship and Practice. In 2000, he was selected to be the editor of the 2001 National Council of Professors of Educational Administration Yearbook, the first yearbook of the new millennium.

The author of numerous books, professional articles, research papers, and monographs, Dr. Kowalski has received awards for his research, writing, and scholarship including the Outstanding Faculty Research Award from the Teachers College at Ball State University in 1993, the Outstanding Faculty Scholarship Award from the School of Education and Allied Professions at the University of Dayton in 2002 and 2005, and the Alumni Award in Scholarship from the University of Dayton in 2005. Since 1986, he has delivered over 100 invited lectures at colleges and universities and has provided consultant services to numerous education and business clients. Professor Kowalski’s primary areas of research are organizational behavior and communication, decision making, and school and district administration.

Details

  • A print text
  • Free shipping

Additional information

Dimensions 0.85 × 7.70 × 9.45 in
Imprint

Format

ISBN-13

ISBN-10

Author

BISAC

Subjects

higher education, educational leadership, EDU046000, Vocational / Professional Studies, Teacher Education, School and Community Relations